Click on the images help you identify a black maple.
Form
Resembles sugar maple so closely that some botanists consider it a variety of the latter rather than a separate species. However, it has some quite distinct characteristics. Although commonly smaller than the sugar maple, it can reach heights of 80 to 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 24 to 36 inches. When grown in the open, it has a tall, dense, compact crown, but in the forest a tall trunk supports a shallow, flat-topped crown.
Bark
On young trunks and on branches, the bark is thin, smooth, and pale gray. On old trunks it is deeply furrowed and dark. Twigs are usually stouter than those of sugar maple and have conspicuous warty lenticels.
Leaf
Simple, opposite on stem, usually three lobed with each lobe tapering to a slender point; smooth or wavy margins; drooping sides; dark green above, yellowish green below; yellow, orange, or deep red in autumn. (Sugar maple leaves usually have five lobes.)
Fruit (seed)
Samara occurring in double-winged, U-shaped pairs. The wings, about an inch long, are slightly more divergent than those of sugar maple. A smooth, bright red brown seed is enclosed at the base of each wing.
Range
Found in southeastern and south-central Minnesota. Shade tolerant, slow growing.
Wood uses
Similar to that of sugar maple and used for the same purposes, sold as “hard maple.” Desirable as a shade or ornamental tree because of its dense foliage and fall coloring of bright yellow, orange, or scarlet.